DEP/DUA/1/12/16 (Normalised version)

Peggy Turnbull

(1776-1777)

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Peggy Turnbull.

This patient but short time under care & case affords room but for few remarks.

Made application to us in consequence of fit of hysterical kind with which attacked some days before

This according to her account first attack of the kind to which had been subjected.

But had been affected with several symptoms of longer duration.

Particularly oppression about precordia, nausea flatulence & almost constant headache.

These symptoms had continued for about space of six months.

And in her own opinion to be attributed to fright to which at that time subjected.

Influence of passions on living system unquestionably very great.

Yet must own that consider such an assertion as present, rarely if ever to arise from them

And was here disposed to ascribe these as well as fits to different cause.

Patient a female of full & seemingly vigorous habit had already arrived nearly at 19^th year of age.

And as we were informed had never had any menstrual discharge.

With by much greater part of Women menstrual even in this country known to take place at earlier date.

And when wanting frequently to induce such symptoms as here occurred.

Was therefore I own disposed to refer all affections to this cause.

And to consider case as Amenorrhea.

In this view was I own disposed to hope for favourable termination.

How far however has already taken place have not been able to learn.

As patient having no recurrence of fits thought it unnecessary to continue attendance here.

And her idea of disease different from what we entertained

In treatment of this case principal apprehensions were from recurrence of fits.

And whatever might be cause of these imagined that would be best counteracted by use of an antispasmodic.

As most powerful of this tribe prescribed use of aether.

But while under this medicine no return of fits, still continued to be affected with wind in bowels, & bound state of belly.

Both these symptoms hoped to obviate by conjunction of Tincture Foetida & Elixir of Aloes.

But at same time looked for radical cure only from inducing menstrual discharge.

And in present instance did not expect this without more powerful remedy.

But in such an instance as present reckon it first necessary to be satisfied that no cause of obstruction from configuration of parts.

For as had occasion to observe in treating of Amenorrhea in practical course where depends on imperforated hymen every emmenagogue attended with bad affects.

To be satisfied of this particular therefore desired to have some conversation with mother that proper examination might be made.

In this conversation however was informed by mother that with respect to menstrual flux a peculiarity in her family.

That she herself had not menstrual till 22d year of age.

And that with two other daughters older than our patient had not appeared till nearly same time.

She seemed to have [little] that with this girl would appear about same time.

Can be no question that with some appears earlier than with others.

But how far present story well founded, will not pretend to say.

On supposition however that induction of menstrual discharge not here requisite, saw no symptom for which necessary for her to continue attendance.

Thought it sufficient therefore to advise her to return in case of any second attack of fits.

And as since that have heard nothing of her presume that this has not been the case.

And whether menstrual discharge will or will not appear at age mother suspects is a question which cannot yet be determined for some years to come.